A multifaceted bassist and composer, Joshua Crumbly has a sound that straddles post-bop, fusion, and ambient post-rock. Following work alongside TERENCE BLANCHARD, STEFON HARRIS, and LEON BRIDGES, he distinguished himself as a leader with 2020's RISE.
Born in 1991 in Los Angeles, Crumbly was encouraged to play jazz by his father, saxophonist Ronnie Crumbly. He started out taking classical piano lessons at age five, and by age nine was playing electric bass. Performances followed in various school groups, as did performances alongside his father. He also took private lessons with Al Mckibbon, John B. Williams, Reggie Hamilton, and others. After high school, Crumbly further honed his skills studying at New York's Juilliard. There, he caught the attention of Terence Blanchard, and by the end of his freshman year had joined the trumpeter's quintet in time to appear on 2013's Grammy-nominated Magnetic. Crumbly has worked with a bevy of artists, including KAMASI WASHINGTON, LIZ WRIGHT, RAVI COLTRANE, ANTHONY WILSON, and soul singer/songwriter LEON BRIDGES. In 2020, he made his debut as leader with RISE, which showcased his expansive take on modern creative jazz.